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Economy of Cape Verde vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cape Verde has a GDP of $2.73B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 172/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.03B in government debt (111.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Cape Verde vs Syria GDP by year

Cape Verde
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde Syria
2024 $2,725,414,151 -
2023 $2,504,525,549 $19,993,439,950
2022 $2,247,003,344 $23,622,827,080
2021 $2,051,842,619 $14,353,205,678
2020 $1,821,565,614 $12,047,752,036
2019 $2,252,177,124 $22,583,045,060
2018 $2,205,099,507 $21,497,782,868
2017 $1,996,741,540 $16,369,843,352
2016 $1,849,789,986 $12,597,854,877
2015 $1,749,857,620 $16,466,863,117
2014 $2,041,930,125 $21,502,061,466
2013 $2,028,910,915 $21,361,254,635
2012 $1,913,081,210 $43,190,318,033
2011 $2,046,817,987 $67,539,428,159
2010 $1,824,751,468 $61,390,830,875
2009 $1,852,334,575 $54,111,735,629
2008 $1,959,620,648 $52,557,913,569
2007 $1,649,621,739 $40,465,318,382
2006 $1,107,571,458 $33,751,788,856
2005 $972,241,677 $28,858,965,517
2004 $924,940,012 $25,086,950,495
2003 $813,260,469 $21,828,144,686
2002 $620,507,387 $20,669,357,462
2001 $563,090,490 $20,237,024,725
2000 $539,227,278 $18,937,052,543
1999 $592,416,703 $15,873,875,969
1998 $521,910,561 $15,200,846,154
1997 $490,608,658 $14,505,233,463
1996 $501,979,270 $13,789,560,878
1995 $487,148,994 $11,396,706,587
1994 $406,580,652 $10,122,020,000
1993 $490,417,390 $13,695,962,055
1992 $357,160,985 $13,253,565,861
1991 $319,827,059 $12,981,833,333
1990 $306,890,963 $12,308,624,418
1989 $267,448,571 $9,853,395,762
1988 $264,308,140 $10,577,041,645
1987 $235,253,065 $11,356,215,543
1986 $190,651,168 $13,293,205,278
1985 $137,728,205 $16,403,539,893
1984 $132,019,039 $17,503,078,174
1983 $138,476,176 $17,589,277,143
1982 $140,630,679 $16,298,929,011
1981 $139,468,209 $15,518,201,335
1980 $142,246,815 $13,062,420,382
1979 - $9,929,681,529
1978 - $9,275,200,458
1977 - $7,696,011,396
1976 - $7,633,528,867
1975 - $6,826,980,444
1974 - $5,159,557,148
1973 - $3,239,487,516
1972 - $3,059,681,698
1971 - $2,589,851,325
1970 - $2,140,384,010
1969 - $2,245,011,515
1968 - $1,753,746,430
1967 - $1,580,229,799
1966 - $1,342,287,553
1965 - $1,472,036,540
1964 - $1,339,494,267
1963 - $1,200,447,408
1962 - $1,110,565,881
1961 - $945,244,972
1960 - $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs Syria by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,192 $11,195 - -
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $847 $4,650
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $664 $4,593
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $572 $3,738
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $852 $3,265
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $656 -
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $848 -
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $1,061 -
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $986 -
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $1,898 -
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $2,952 -
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $2,731 -
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $2,462 -
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $2,429 -
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $1,938 -
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $1,719 -
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $1,534 -
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $1,368 -
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $1,220 -
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $1,183 -
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $1,187 -
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $1,138 -
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $978 -
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $961 -
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $941 -
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $918 -
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $780 -
1994 $991 $1,540 $712 -
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $993 -
1992 $908 $1,186 $990 -
1991 $832 $1,069 $1,000 -
1990 $817 $1,044 $978 -
1989 $727 - $809 -
1988 $729 - $898 -
1987 $658 - $997 -
1986 $541 - $1,208 -
1985 $396 - $1,544 -
1984 $385 - $1,706 -
1983 $410 - $1,776 -
1982 $423 - $1,703 -
1981 $425 - $1,676 -
1980 $440 - $1,458 -
1979 - - $1,146 -
1978 - - $1,108 -
1977 - - $951 -
1976 - - $976 -
1975 - - $904 -
1974 - - $707 -
1973 - - $459 -
1972 - - $448 -
1971 - - $393 -
1970 - - $335 -
1969 - - $364 -
1968 - - $293.3 -
1967 - - $272.9 -
1966 - - $239.3 -
1965 - - $270.8 -
1964 - - $254.2 -
1963 - - $234.9 -
1962 - - $223.9 -
1961 - - $196.3 -
1960 - - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/syria | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,192, ranking 118/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde Syria
Gross domestic product
$2.73B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
172/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
7.24%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$5,192
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
118/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$3.03B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
111.2%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$5,776
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
76/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,576
2026
$730
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
8.61%
2010
Population
530391
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.1% 111.2% - -
2023 25.7% 117.5% - -
2022 26.6% 127.6% - -
2021 30.8% 149.5% - -
2020 34.5% 144.3% - -
2019 27.5% 109.8% - -
2018 27.5% 112.3% - -
2017 28% 113% - -
2016 26.6% 115.6% - -
2015 28.7% 115.7% - -
2014 27.8% 105.7% - -
2013 30.9% 93.5% - -
2012 31.6% 82.9% - -
2011 30.3% 71.6% - -
2010 35.7% 73.5% 28.6% 30%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 26.3% 45%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 31.3% 113%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 28% 144.5%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 35% 66.4% 28% 147.7%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 29% 147.6%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 30.3% 163%
1993 - - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 - - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 - - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Cape Verde's government spending was $711M, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 111.2% in Cape Verde and 30% in Syria, ranking 16/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde Syria
2024 -1.07% -
2023 -0.28% -
2022 -4.25% -
2021 -7.51% -
2020 -9.29% -
2019 -1.62% -
2018 -2.36% -
2017 -2.63% -
2016 -2.73% -
2015 -4.16% -
2014 -6.93% -
2013 -8.49% -
2012 -9.36% -
2011 -6.98% -
2010 -9.6% -7.79%
2009 -5.32% -2.89%
2008 -1.42% -2.86%
2007 -0.86% -2.99%
2006 -4.32% -1.12%
2005 -4.69% -4.41%
2004 -2.98% -4.18%
2003 -3.63% -2.7%
2002 -6.14% -2.02%
2001 -5.03% 2.3%
2000 -15.5% -1.36%
1999 -10.9% -1.47%
1998 -3.16% -2.81%
1997 -10.2% -1.78%
1996 -11.2% -2.83%
1995 -11.1% -3.81%
1994 -12.8% -6%
1993 - -4.96%
1992 - -7.26%
1991 - -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Cape Verde's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $175M, equivalent to 9.6% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 6.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.87% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde Syria
2024 1% -
2023 3.7% -
2022 7.9% -
2021 1.9% -
2020 0.6% -
2019 1.1% 13.4%
2018 1.3% 0.94%
2017 0.8% 18.1%
2016 -1.4% 47.7%
2015 0.1% 38.5%
2014 -0.2% 10.9%
2013 1.5% 40%
2012 2.5% 36.7%
2011 4.5% 4.75%
2010 2.1% 4.4%
2009 1% 2.92%
2008 6.8% 15.7%
2007 4.4% 3.91%
2006 4.8% 10%
2005 0.4% 7.24%
2004 -1.9% 4.43%
2003 1.2% 5.8%
2002 1.9% -0.13%
2001 3.7% 3%
2000 -2.4% -3.85%
1999 4.3% -3.7%
1998 4.4% -0.8%
1997 8.6% 1.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.15%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 1% in Cape Verde and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
Syria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde Syria
Current account balance
$107M
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$1.17B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$328M
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$298M
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$830M
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Cape Verde Syria
Economic freedom 71.4 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 155/197
Property rights 72.7 4
Government integrity 63.3 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 3.7
Tax burden 84.4 87.3
Government spending 79.5 78.5
Fiscal health 74.4 13.8
Business freedom 78.9 33.8
Labor freedom 59.5 37.2
Monetary freedom 80.4 80
Trade freedom 66.6 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde Syria
2026 71.4 -
2025 68.7 -
2024 62.9 -
2023 65.8 -
2022 66.7 -
2021 63.8 -
2020 63.6 -
2019 63.1 -
2018 60 -
2017 56.9 -
2016 66.5 -
2015 66.4 -
2014 66.1 -
2013 63.7 -
2012 63.5 51.2
2011 64.6 51.3
2010 61.8 49.4
2009 61.3 51.3
2008 57.9 47.2
2007 56.5 48.3
2006 58.6 51.2
2005 57.8 46.3
2004 58.1 40.6
2003 56.1 41.3
2002 57.6 36.3
2001 56.3 36.6
2000 51.9 37.2
1999 50.7 39
1998 48 42.2
1997 47.7 43
1996 49.7 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde Syria
Services, % of GDP
68.7%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.92%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$2.6B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,000
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$783M
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
144/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$89.2M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.69%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
16%
1969

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/syria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2010, retrieved 2026-02-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.